Distributed Scheduling for Cell-Edge Performance in Wireless Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cell-edge users in wireless communication systems experience low data rates due to poor channel quality and interference, with existing solutions either trading off aggregate throughput for improved cell-edge performance or requiring complex and resource-intensive coordinated multi-point transmission schemes.

Innovation Solution

A method for scheduling transmission resources to mobile stations served by multiple base stations, where feedback information is transmitted with sufficient power to allow inference of throughput parameters at other base stations, enabling decentralized scheduling and simultaneous data streams from multiple base stations using the same frequency resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmit power and bandwidth are increased at the base station, then signal quality for cell-edge users is improved, but aggregate system throughput deteriorates due to increased interference and resource consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal quality for cell-edge usersVSAvoidaggregate system throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling each base station to independently infer throughput parameters specific to cell-edge users served by neighboring base stations, rather than implementing a centralized control mechanism. This localized inference approach allows targeted resource allocation improvements for cell-edge users without requiring system-wide coordination that would increase overall resource consumption and interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If coordinated multi-point transmission schemes are implemented, then cell-edge user performance is improved, but system complexity and resource requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell-edge user data rateVSAvoidtransmission scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling base stations to autonomously infer throughput parameters for cell-edge users through monitoring feedback information transmitted by mobile stations. Each base station independently performs the inference and adjusts its scheduling decisions without requiring complex centralized coordination or additional signaling overhead, thereby reducing system complexity while improving cell-edge user performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If traditional scheduling algorithms are used, then fairness among users is maintained, but cell-edge users continue to experience low data rates due to poor channel quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling fairnessVSAvoidcell-edge user data rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes feedback mechanisms by having mobile stations transmit feedback information about received data from multiple base stations. Neighboring base stations monitor this feedback and infer throughput parameters, enabling them to make informed scheduling decisions that improve cell-edge user data rates while maintaining fairness through decentralized resource allocation adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2430871B1System and method for cell-edge performance management in wireless systems using distributed scheduling
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2430871B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2430871B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2430871B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method is provided for scheduling transmission resources to a mobile station served by a plurality of base stations. According to the method of the invention, feedback information respecting data received by the mobile station from each of at least two of the plurality of base stations is received by the each of the plurality of base stations. An inference is then drawn at a second of the plurality of base stations of throughput parameters respecting a transmission channel between a first of the plurality of base stations and the mobile station. Transmission resources for the mobile station are then scheduled by the second base station as a function of the inferred throughput parameters.